Close friendships improve the survival chances of rhesus macaques, new research shows.
Close friendships improve the survival chances of rhesus macaques, new research shows.
University of Exeter scientists studied the social lives of female macaques on “Monkey Island” (Cayo Santiago, off Puerto Rico).
Data spanning seven years revealed that females with the strongest social connection to a another macaque – measured by factors including time spent together and time grooming each other’s fur – were 11% less likely to die in a given year.
“We can’t say for certain why close social ties help macaques survive,” said lead author Dr Sam Ellis, of Exeter’s Centre for Research in Animal Behaviour.
Read more at University of Exeter
Image: Females with the strongest social connection to a another macaque were 11% less likely to die in a given year. (Credit: Lauren Brent)
